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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Terence Parkin


PERSON WHO WAS SUCCESSFUL INSPITE OF DISABILITY
Terence Parkin


Many swimmers competed in multiple events during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.  One of them was Terence Parkin of South Africa.  Terence's events included the 200 and 400 meter individual medley, the 4x100 meter free relay, and the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke.  He swam in a total of eight different qualifying and final races in five days during the Olympics.  Terence finished fifth in the 400 meter individual medley.  In the 200 meter breaststroke, he finished second to win the silver medal.

What makes this 20-year-old Olympic swimmer somewhat unique is that he has never been able to hear a race starter's signal.  Born deaf, Terence uses a strobe light similar to a camera flash to signal the beginning of the race.  The Olympic competitor only began swimming at age 14.  Now he holds three national records in South Africa and owns a silver medal from the Sydney Olympics.

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